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Boston U coach resigns after allegations of emotional abuse

Posted:
04/23/2014 01:18:49 PM EDT

Boston University head coach Kelly Greenberg gestures at a referee during the America East championship game on March 12, 2006, in West Hartford, Conn. (AP PHOTO)

BOSTON (AP) -- Boston University women's basketball coach Kelly Greenberg resigned Wednesday about a month after several former players complained that she was so verbally and emotionally abusive that she drove them off the team.

The university assembled a three-member panel to investigate the allegations of abuse that four former scholarship players say prompted them to quit last season.

The panel found that even though many of the allegations couldn't be substantiated, "a compelling case was made, based on interviews with the team as a whole, that the manner in which coach Greenberg interacted with many of her players was incompatible with the expectations and standards for university employees, including our coaches," Todd Klipp, senior vice president, said in a statement.

"When we shared these conclusions with coach Greenberg, she determined that it would not be possible for her to continue coaching at Boston University," he added.

Greenberg went 186-127 in 10 years at BU and led the team to four appearances in the Women's National Invitational Tournament. The Terriers were 13-20 last season. She led Pennsylvania to two Ivy League titles in five years before coming to BU.

Supporters, including several former players, called her a tough but fair and caring coach.

Greenberg defended her style.

"I do not agree with some of the findings of the review panel regarding my coaching style, which was intended to produce well-rounded athletes and a winning team," she said in a statement.